Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK) Create Helps Promote App Development

If Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have any thoughts of competing head to head with iOS and Android in the app space, it needs to pull out all the stops.

Yesterday, Jason Black of the Nokia blog announced that the Nokia Create competition is now open to all Windows Phone app developers.

If you fit this mold (or even if you don’t), you will want to pay close attention to this competition including how it works and what it means to those who come out on top.

What is Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) Create?

This competition is one that is sure to attract a lot of attention from developers. Not only is the Windows platform growing, but anytime there are prizes on the line people are sure to get more excited.

Nokia Create is a worldwide competition in which participants develop apps for Windows Phone 8 and Nokia Lumia smartphones. For those involved, Nokia is offering the chance to win prizes, and of course, have the winner’s apps stand out in a crowded industry.

Nokia has created eight categories and 14 missions, with 141 winners in total.

For those who come out on top, the exposure alone is well worth it. However, prize packages include devices, credits for future ad campaigns, promotions, and much more.

Grand Prize Winner

If some exposure and a few small prizes doesn’t get you excited, it is time to set your sights on the grand prize. This is what you really want to chase after.

The grand prize winner will receive an expenses paid trip for two to the 2014 Mobile World Congress taking place in Barcelona, Spain. Does it get any better than that? You may not think so, but it does. The winning app will also be eligible for promotion and marketing efforts that includes a 10,000 EURO credit on Microsoft’s pubCenter for a marketing campaign as well as four weeks of promotion on the Windows Phone Store and App Social.

As you can see, Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) is serious about making waves in the app space. The same holds true for Microsoft. With Stephen Elop and Steve Ballmer joining forces (at least for the time being), there are many reasons to be optimistic.

If you are a Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) investor like manager Ken Griffin, or even a Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) investor like fund manager Jeffrey Ubben, this is the type of thing you want to watch carefully.